“Despite ICE having her birth certificate that shows that she was very clearly born in Maryland, they did move her to Louisiana.” This is how the TikTok video, posted by immigration attorney Victoria Slatton, opens. After this, she continues, explaining the move is “not a good sign.” Typically, it’s the last step before someone is deported. The video, which has now garnered more than 136k views, is a call to action. At the time of writing, one of her Maryland clients is being held by ICE. The problem is that it’s completely illegal, and even law enforcement is powerless to stop it.
In the video, Slatton makes a desperate plea for everyone to share it. She asks journalists, reporters, and anyone else who cares to share the word to do so. The story she shares is one of grief and fear, with concrete evidence that ICE is deporting people regardless of their citizenship. Her client was taken under “suspicious circumstances” and moved several states in less than 24 hours, against court orders. Not only is this a blatant disregard for the law, but it’s also a terrifying reminder of the state of America.
“They’re blatantly ignoring orders from the court; they’re not allowing me access to my client. I am at a loss, and I am incredibly angry,” Slatton says in her video. “It is an indisputable fact that she was born in the United States.” She goes on to share the numerous records they have for her client, all of which prove she was born in Maryland. “I’m doing everything we can on the legal side. But I’m at a loss, because this is so far beyond what I ever thought I would be fighting for,” she says in a moment of brutal honesty.
The majority of the video’s 5,000+ comments support Slatton’s legal battle. “It was never about undocumented criminals, it was always about racism,” one TikTok user says. “When a lawyer comes to TikTok asking for literally anyone to help, it makes me scared. That’s her last option. She, her client, and the judges did their part and yet… whatever this is,” another says.
Another person reveals the absolute truth, as terrifying as it is: “This is kidnapping, this case here.”
